It may be August, but summer’s not slowing down on Chicago’s North Shore! Whether you’re browsing local art festivals, hopping on thrilling festival rides or catching a movie under the stars, this month is full of can’t-miss events.

Wilmette Art Fair

Saturday, August 2 - Sunday, August 3

Downtown Wilmette | Wilmette & Central Ave., Wilmette


This exciting art fair takes place in the heart of Wilmette’s charming downtown and features 100 juried artists showcasing and selling their unique pieces including paintings, photography, ceramics, furniture, jewelry, wood, fiber and more. Live music, activities for kids, on-site painting classes, and festival food add to the fun, family-friendly vibe. Admission is free.

Skokie's Backlot Bash '25

Skokie’s downtown street festival features 18 bands, a carnival midway, 5K Run, movies at the Library, an art show, bingo, the Skokie Heritage Museum, a Sunday pancake breakfast and farmer's market, and much more.

Northbrook Days

Through Sunday, August 3

Northbrook Village Center

West Metra Commuter Lot - Northbrook Train Station | 1401 Shermer Rd., Northbrook


Every year, volunteers come together for five days and put on an exciting festival for residents of Northbrook and surrounding towns. The fest includes rides, games, live music, food, beer & wine, and much more! It's been a summer tradition in downtown Northbrook for decades. Come join the fun!

Party on the Green!

Live music, family entertainment, art show and outdoor movie on Saturday, August 16 at Village Green Park in Northbrook.

Fiddler on the Roof

Thursday, August 7 - Sunday, August 17

Music Theater Works

North Shore Center for the Performing Arts | 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie


Music Theater Works presents Fiddler on the Roof, the beloved story of Tevye, a milkman whose traditions are challenged by a changing world. Set in a tight-knit Jewish village in Czarist Russia, this timeless musical features a lush, unforgettable score performed by a stellar cast and full orchestra. Don’t miss it!

Holiday Magic Starts at Chevy Chase

Celebrate the season with stunning decor, delicious dining and festive cheer at Chevy Chase Country Club.

Lilo & Stitch Movie Night

Thursday, August 14

Northwestern University | Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, Evanston



Northwestern Athletics and Recreation and Northwestern University's Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations invite you to attend a FREE showing of Lilo & Stitch (2025). Gates open at 5pm. The movie starts at 6 pm. Seating is available in the stadium, so no need to bring chairs. Drinks, popcorn, and candy will be provided to attendees at no cost while supplies last. In case of rain, movie will be moved indoors.

Don’t Miss Pro Soccer on the North Shore!

September 7th, Chicago Stars FC comes to Evanston! Experience top-notch soccer action, family-friendly activities and free team swag – all right on the lakefront. Grab tickets and get ready to cheer!

Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival

Saturday, August 16 - Sunday, August 17

Downtown Evanston | Church & Sherman Ave., Evanston



A community favorite, the fest features thousands of original pieces from an impressive 150 juried artists showcasing their paintings, sculpture, jewelry, mixed media, photography and so much more. Live music, great food, drinks, and tasty treats, artist demonstrations, and kids’ activities make it fun for the whole family! Admission is free.

Northbrook Farmers Market Dog Days of Summer

Join for a paw-some day Aug. 13! – a fun-filled celebration of summer daze and doggies supporting a great cause. Dress your pooch in a cute hat, donate supplies to a local shelter, enjoy games for kids & pooches, music, lemonade, face painting, onsite Q&A with a dog trainer and enter a raffle of market goodies – all free! Oh! And shop the fabulous market vendors too! Wednesdays through Oct. 8, downtown Northbrook.

Skokie’s Backlot Bash

Friday, August 22 - Sunday, August 24

Downtown Skokie | Corner of Floral Ave. & Oakton St., Skokie


Celebrating 18 years, the Bash features fun for everyone including a carnival, a beer tent, a 5K and kids’ fun run, BINGO, a farmer’s market, a pancake breakfast, an art fair and loads of music! Headliners include Elements (Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band), Strange Love (The Depeche Mode Experience) and Tributosaurus as Van Halen.

Northwestern Football Meet the Team Night

Saturday, August 23

Ryan Fieldhouse, Northwestern University | 2333 N. Campus Dr., Evanston


Join Northwestern Football for Meet the Team Night (5:30 - 7:30pm). Get to know the players, grab autographs and pick up a free team poster. Enjoy an evening filled with team spirit and photo-worthy moments, plus, don't miss a special visit from Willie the Wildcat (6:00 - 7:00pm). Admission and parking are free.

Experience the Wilmette Art Fair – August 2-3!

Enjoy a perfect summer day at the Wilmette Art Fair! Discover original art, live music, and family fun along Wilmette & Central Avenues. Free entry, free parking and lots of interactive activities!

Live Music Under the Stars

Throughout August

Ravinia Festival | 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park


Ravinia's last month of the summer features an outstanding lineup of concerts! Highlights include Train (8/2), Earth, Wind & Fire (8/7), Cynthia Erivo (8/15), Lenny Kravitz (8/21), John Legend (8/23 & 24), and UB40 (8/27). Get your tickets today and enjoy an evening of live music under the stars!

Northbrook Days 2025

THROUGH AUGUST 3, 2025

West Metra Commuter Lot, Northbrook Train Station, Northbrook

Glenview's Bearfoot in the Park Concerts

THROUGH AUGUST 6, 2025

Jackman Park Gazebo, Glenview

Winnetka's Wednesday in the Woods: Children's Concerts

THROUGH AUGUST 6, 2025

Hubbard Woods Park, Winnetka

Twisted Melodies

THROUGH AUGUST 10, 2025

Northlight Theatre, Skokie

Wednesdays on the Green - Summer Sessions in Skokie

THROUGH AUGUST 13, 2025

Village Green, Skokie

Clue: A Walking Mystery

THROUGH AUGUST 17, 2025

Village Green Park, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie

Wilmette's Summer Music Series 2025

THROUGH AUGUST 19, 2025

Village Green and other locations, Wilmette

Science + You

THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2025

Kohl Children's Museum, Glenview

Grove Gallery - Flow: The Water Show

THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2025

The Grove Gallery, Evanston

Morgan Freeman's Symphonic Blues Experience CSO+ Martin Gellner

AUGUST 1, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

The Chicago Soul Spectacular

AUGUST 1, 2025

Evanston SPACE, Evanston

Evanston Made - First Saturdays Evanston Art Events

AUGUST 2, 2025

Various Locations, Evanston

Train w. special guest Edwin McCain

AUGUST 2, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Starlight Movie Series - Toy Story / Inside Out

AUGUST 2, 2025

Bent Park, Evanston

Historic Apartment Buildings 2025 Walking Tour

AUGUST 2, 2025

Evanston History Center, Evanston

Wilmette Art Fair

AUGUST 2-3, 2025

Downtown Wilmette

1812 Overture with cannons Tchaikovsky Spectacular CSO + Laura Jackson, conductor / Zlatomir Fung, cello

AUGUST 3, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Midnight Sun Band: A Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire

AUGUST 3, 2025

Evanston SPACE, Evanston

Music on the Esplanade - Fernandez & Kimball

AUGUST 4, 2025

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Phantom Island Tour King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard with Chicago Philharmonic + Sarah Hicks

AUGUST 6, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Music on the Esplanade - Reunion Jazz Orchestra

AUGUST 6, 2025

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Earth, Wind & Fire

AUGUST 7, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Downtown Summer Sounds - Cecy Santana Band

AUGUST 7, 2025

Fountain Square, Downtown Evanston

Thursday Night Markets

AUGUST 7, 2025

Fountain Square, Downtown Evanston

Music Theater Works presents Fiddler on the Roof

AUGUST 7-17, 2025

North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie

Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers

AUGUST 8, 2025

Evanston SPACE, Evanston

Summer of Sound at Westfield Old Orchard

AUGUST 8, 2025

Westfield Old Orchard, Skokie


Laurie Berkner

AUGUST 9, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Debussy’s La mer & Bruch’s Concerto CSO + Lidiya Yankovskaya, conductor

AUGUST 9, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

A Night of Motown and Classic R&B with Gerald McClendon, The Soulkeeper

AUGUST 10, 2025

Evanston SPACE, Evanston

All-Mozart Evening - CSO+ Louis Langrée

AUGUST 10, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Evanston Cars & Coffee

AUGUST 10, 2025

City of Evanston Public Parking Lot 3, Downtown Evanston

Music on the Esplanade - Brass From The Past

AUGUST 11, 2025

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Wheeling Town Center Tuesday Night Market

AUGUST 12, 2025

Wheeling Town Center, Wheeling

Music on the Esplanade - Guitarra Azul

AUGUST 13, 2025

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Rachmaninoff and the Tsar

AUGUST 13, 2025 - SEPTEMBER 21, 2025

Writers Theatre, Glencoe

Peckish Pig Thursday Flamenco Nights

AUGUST 14, 2025

Peckish Pig, Evanston

Annual Community Movie Night - Lilo & Stitch

AUGUST 14, 2025

Northwestern Medical Field at Martin Stadium, Evanston

Downtown Summer Sounds - Wolfman

AUGUST 14, 2025

Fountain Square, Downtown Evanston

Evenings on the Farm

AUGUST 15, 2025

Historic Wagner Farm, Glenview

Billy Branch & The Sons of the Blues

AUGUST 15, 2025

Evanston SPACE, Evanston

An Evening with Cynthia Erivo

AUGUST 15, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Side by Side by Sondheim A Musical Entertainment

AUGUST 15, 2025 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2025

Oil Lamp Theater, Glenview

Intro to Plant-Based Eating - Cheese Edition!

AUGUST 16, 2025

Spirit Elephant, Winnetka

Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 CSO + Peter Oundjian, conductor

AUGUST 16, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Wheeling Park District - Los Lonely Boys Brotherhood Tour

AUGUST 16, 2025

Heritage Park Performance Pavillion, Wheeling

Brick by Brick Walking Tour

AUGUST 16, 2025

Evanston History Center, Evanston

Party on the Green

AUGUST 16, 2025

Village Green Park, Northbrook

Evanston Art and Big Fork Festival

AUGUST 16-17, 2025

Downtown Evanston

Saint-Saëns’s Cello Concerto No. 1 CSO + David Robertson, conductor

AUGUST 17, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Jambon

AUGUST 17, 2025

Evanston SPACE, Evanston

Music on the Esplanade - Saturday June Band

AUGUST 18, 2025

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Starlight Concert Series - The Midnight Sun Band

AUGUST 19, 2025

Beck Park, Evanston

Paint 'N Play

AUGUST 19, 2025

Exploritorium, Skokie

Music on the Esplanade - Kal Bergandahl Project

AUGUST 20, 2025

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Max and Benny's Bingo Brunch

AUGUST 20, 2025

Max & Benny's Restaurant, Northbrook

Lenny Kravitz

AUGUST 21, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Downtown Summer Sounds - Jake Sanders Quintet

AUGUST 21, 2025

Fountain Square, Downtown Evanston

Sydny August w. Moyana and Young (In)

AUGUST 22, 2025

Evanston SPACE, Evanston

Maren Morris

AUGUST 22, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Summer Sendoff Block Party featuring Chicken Bone

AUGUST 22, 2025

Main-Dempster Mile, Evanston

Skokie's Backlot Bash

AUGUST 22-24, 2025

Downtown Skokie

Northwestern Football Meet the Team Night

AUGUST 23, 2025

Ryan Fieldhouse, Northwestern University, Evanston

John Legend 20th Anniversary of Get Lifted

AUGUST 23-24, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Prince Ananias: A Kid-Friendly Operetta

AUGUST 23-31, 2025

Devonshire Cultural Center, Skokie

The Chicago Jazz Dads

AUGUST 24, 2025

Evanston SPACE, Evanston

Music on the Esplanade - Classical Blast

AUGUST 25, 2025

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Evanston Starlight Concert Series - The Sullivan Sisters

AUGUST 26, 2025

Independence Park, Evanston

Wheeling Town Center Tuesday Night Market

AUGUST 26, 2025

Wheeling Town Center, Wheeling

John Pizzarelli Trio

AUGUST 27, 2025

Evanston SPACE, Evanston

UB40 with the Buena Vista Orchestra

AUGUST 27, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Music on the Esplanade - Topology Swing Machin

AUGUST 27, 2025

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music Sing-Along

AUGUST 28, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Downtown Summer Sounds - The McNary Experience

AUGUST 28, 2025

Fountain Square, Downtown Evanston

A Psychedelic Country Evening with Railheart, Billingsly & Earp, and Jaik Willis

AUGUST 29, 2025

Evanston SPACE, Evanston

Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga Concert Experience

AUGUST 29, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Puresoul Presents: The Smiths featuring Bob Nanna of Braid

AUGUST 30, 2025

Evanston SPACE, Evanston

Starlight Movie Series -Wild Robot / Asteroid City

AUGUST 30, 2025

Larimer Park, Evanston

Coffee & Classics - Patina, Works in Progress, and Kids Sticker Day

AUGUST 31, 2025

Indian Hill Metra Lot, Winnetka

Fiesta Ravinia La Original Banda El Limón / Como La Flor: The Ultimate Selena Tribute / and more!

AUGUST 31, 2025

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Butterflies & Blooms

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1, 2025

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Patterned by Nature - From Polka Dot to Stripes - Nature's got Style

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2025

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Northbrook Farmers Market

THROUGH OCTOBER 8, 2025

Downtown Northbrook

Glenview Farmers Market

THROUGH OCTOBER 25, 2025

Historic Wagner Farm Parking Lot, Glenview

Winnetka Farmers Market

THROUGH OCTOBER 25, 2025

Winnetka Metra Train Station, Winnetka

Wilmette French Market

THROUGH NOVEMBER 1, 2025

Just East of the Wilmette Metra Station, Wilmette

Downtown Evanston Farmers Market

THROUGH NOVEMBER 1, 2025

Intersection of University Pl. and Oak Ave., Downtown Evanston

Skokie Farmers Market

THROUGH NOVEMBER 2, 2025

Parking Lot, Northwest Corner of Oakton St. & Floral Ave., Skokie

Living Stories Contemporary Woodland Native American Art

THROUGH JANUARY 1, 2026

Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum, Evanston


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